The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry was established in 2018 to investigate children, young people, and vulnerable adults’ experiences of abuse and neglect in State and non-State care in Aotearoa New Zealand between the years of 1950-1999.
In 2018 a Crown response secretariat was established to coordinate multiple agencies to engage with and respond to the Royal Commission in an effective and timely way.
In 2019 the secretariat evolved into a Crown Response Unit to address the recommendations in the Royal Commission’s 2021 redress report. He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu. From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui.
The Royal Commission ended on 25 June 2024. Its final report and recommendations Whanaketia, Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light Whakairihia ki te tihi o Maungārongo was publicly released on Wednesday 24 July on its website(external link).
In 2024 a Crown Response Office was established following a recommendation in Whanaketia for a central government agency to coordinate, monitor and report on the government’s response to the Royal Commission. The office sits in the Public Service Commission.
Strategic oversight is provided by a Crown Response Chief Executives Group. The role of the group is to enable agency accountability by:
The group is chaired by Deputy Public Service Commissioner, Rebecca Kitteridge. Members of the group are Chief Executives from:
The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions is Hon Minister Erica Stanford.
Mr Rajesh Chhana is the Chief Executive of the Crown Response Office.
Mr Chhana is accountable to the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions Minister Erica Stanford.
Biography
Since February 2015, Mr Chhana has been Deputy Secretary (Policy) at the Ministry of Justice.
For three years (2012–2015) Mr Chhana held senior roles at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, including Director National Security Policy. In his time at DPMC, he also held two other roles: Policy Advisor (Legal) and Project Manager, Intelligence Coordination Group.
In 2012 Mr Chhana was Acting General Manager, Higher Courts at the Ministry for Justice.
From 2004 to 2012 Mr Chhana was General Manager, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at the Ministry of Justice.
Between 2001 and 2003 he was a Senior Associate at Chen Palmer, Public Law Specialists.
Prior to this (1999–2001) Mr Chhana was Private Secretary (Legal) in the Office of the Minister of Justice.
